Next year is going to be a very weird year if you’re looking to play the UK’s best golf courses. Massive pent-up demand from international travellers means that green fees are rocketing and visitor tee sheets at many of the top courses are already full.
No doubt, in the months to come, I will be writing with righteous indignation about green fee inflation, but for now, this is a blog of inspiration! For while peak Summer green fees are eye-watering, there are some quite brilliant deals to be had for winter golf. On average, the top 100 courses are pitching winter rates at 45% off the summer green fees this year.
Below is a list of the winter green fees of the top 100 British courses accepting visitor play over the next few months. There are a couple of points to note. Firstly, some courses either aren’t open over winter (like Kingsbarns and Castle Stuart) while others don’t take visitors (such as Sunningdale and Troon). They have been excluded. Secondly, for the purposes of the discount shown I have taken the highest Summer rate (often weekends) when working out the reduction for their winter rate. Many phone calls and website visits were needed to put this together, apologies for any fat fingers!!
Here’s the list but read on for some winter golf tips….
FLEXIBILITY IS YOUR FRIEND
If you can, try to make sure you have some options when planning a trip over the winter. I recommend putting a weekend or few days aside in your diary but deciding nearer the time where to go. That way you can chase the sun (or possibly avoid the snow). Most courses have pretty good availability over the winter and will often allow you to reserve a tee time without paying up front - worth checking!
LOOK OUT FOR THE EXTRAS
Most clubs are really pleased to have visitors over the quiet winter months and will often entice you in with offers of breakfast rolls or lunch. Lots of the green fees above include all kinds of extras. North Berwick is going further and you get coffee, a bacon roll and lunch, plus a round of golf for £90. I would recommend giving clubs a call as well as having a look at their websites to check what is on offer - and don’t be shy asking!
BIG NAMES MEAN BIG DISCOUNTS
There are some truly fantastic deals to be had on this list. Royal Country Down stands out at £90 - it’s close to £300 in the summer. Muirfield can be played for half the price of a summer round. I’ll whisper it quietly, but I think the winter condition at Muirfield is even better than the summer where the rough has been a little thick in recent years.
IT’S A GOOD TIME TO GO LOCAL
Even if you’re not planning a trip away this list is worth looking at. Maybe there’s a top course near you that is just too expensive, or hard to get on, in the summer. You may even be able to just wake up in the morning and fancy a game at, say Formy, and get a game that day at 40% of the summer charge.
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER - AND AN ESSENTIAL BUY!
OK, I’m not being anyone’s mother here but golf is so much more fun if you aren’t freezing your bits off! I am a big fan of a pair of long johns and thermal vest but that’s probably not something you want to visualise. Last year I discovered the rechargeable hand warmer. Basically you charge them up with a USB charger and you get several hours of heat from them - truly revolutionary. I have lost countless golf mitts over the years but I don’t need them any more. This one even acts as a phone charger too.
Have fun wherever you are playing this winter - and stay warm!